This data strongly support Mr. DeMarco's contention that the enactment of fingerprint licensing in Maryland last year has helped to cause the 24 percent drop in gun deaths in first part of 2014. This drop happened despite the fact that over the same time period between 2012 and 2013 gun deaths in Maryland went up from 140 to 147.

Plainly, this common sense measure, which is supported by 68 percent of Maryland gun owners, according to an independent poll conducted by Goucher College, is working to keep guns out of the wrong hands and to save lives.

That is why the faith community of Maryland worked hard to enact this law and why we will work hard to urge our colleagues in other states to get this same kind of law enacted everywhere in our country.